Broadband Price Rise in the Middle of Your Contract: What Is Allowed and What You Can Do

Most UK broadband contracts include a price rise during the term, usually each April. If the rise was written into your contract when you signed, the provider can apply it and you cannot leave early because of it without paying the usual exit fee. Since 17 January 2025, Ofcom's rules require any rise in a new contract to be stated in pounds and pence at the point of sale, not as inflation plus a percentage. A rise that was not in your contract is different, and usually lets you leave without penalty.

Two kinds of price rise

Contracts signed before January 2025

Older contracts often say the price rises each year by the rate of inflation plus a fixed percentage. Those terms still apply until the contract ends. When it does, a new contract will state any future rise in pounds and pence.

What to check on your own contract

1. The monthly price now, and the price after each stated rise.
2. The month the rise applies, usually April.
3. The date the minimum term ends. After it, you can usually leave with a month's notice.
4. What leaving early would cost, if you are thinking of it.

If a rise was not in your contract

A provider that makes a change which is not in your contract, and is not solely to your benefit, must give you at least a month's notice. You can then usually leave without an exit fee if you tell them within that notice period. The notice itself should say how.

If money is tight

Many providers offer social tariffs: cheaper broadband for people on Universal Credit and some other benefits, usually on short contracts with no exit fee. The provider's own site states who qualifies.

How Wisemium helps

Add your broadband to Wisemium with its price, any stated rise and its contract end date, and it is kept on record. The end date is shown as needing attention as it comes up, which is when the choice is yours without an exit fee.